The Differences Between Betting Online And In Las Vegas

The online sports betting world has dramatically changed the way that sports betting fans have done their business. Since PASPA was struck down by the Supreme Court last year, many states are now opening up to online betting. Massive advances in technology have created a completely different marketplace for sports betting with a lot of fans looking to place their bets via laptop, smartphone or tablet rather than travelling to their local sportsbooks and having a ticket printed out. Moreover, the speed in technology has allowed for the growth of live betting, which is one of the most popular forms of wagering nowadays.

Although nothing replaces the taste of Vegas, let’s take a closer look at the main differences in betting online versus betting the old school way.

Online Sports Betting

A lot has changed since the first online sportsbooks hit the Internet all the way back in 1996. Ever since then, the number of quality offshore sportsbooks that are available to the betting public has exploded. It’s no secret that it’s pretty comfortable to be able to make bets from anywhere that you want whether it’s at home or on the road. In addition to the convenience aspect, the majority of the top sportsbooks offer excellent bonuses and promotions with very competitive odds.

Legal Sportsbooks

There’s always been offshore books, which operate in the grey area (for the most part). However, now that the United States is opening up its doors, they are paving the way for some excellent legal options for sports bettors. Many offshore books have rested on their laurels a little bit but when you look at the new-wave of legal books in the United States like FanDuel Sporstbook and DraftKings Sportsbook, you can see what the right money, innovation and marketing can do for you.

As a customer, that’s great news. The more options, the better. And with competition at an all-time high, businesses are offering good bonuses to acquire new customers. It’s a good time to be a sports bettor.

Opening Up Accounts

Once you have picked an online sports betting site you need to open an account. For the most part, the sign-up process is usually pretty simple and only takes a few minutes. Once you make your first deposit, you can jump into the action and start to place your wagers.

By doing this online, you’re benefitting greatly as you can deposit, withdraw and play your bets with just a few clicks. The old school way meant you had to drive somewhere, bring cash and then hold onto a ticket to cash in if you won your bet. Online, it’s all done instantaneously for you.

Shopping Around For Lines

Back in the day, if you wanted to shop around for lines in Las Vegas, you had to have good walking shoes. That’s because if you didn’t have great relationships that allowed you to bet over the phone, you had to walk from sportsbook to sportsbook to find the best line for whatever game you wanted to bet on.

Nowadays, the sharps pull up a screen that shows all of the lines on the board and flashes different colors each time a line moves.

These advances can save you big money in the long run. Shopping around is one of the most important aspects of being a successful bettor.

So What’s Good About Betting In Las Vegas?

Well, if you’re just looking at sports betting on its own, it’s hard to make a case. However, Vegas offers much more after you place that bet.

The Atmosphere

Being in a Las Vegas sportsbook on an NFL Sunday or during a mega sporting event is one of the best places a sports fan can be. Crowds of gamblers pack in and you’ll hear cheering for all types of outcomes. Whether it’s totals, sides or prop, someone’s got money on something. And when some kind of crazy play happens – like an upset or a last-second shot – the crowd goes wild. That’s much livelier than being at home alone and watching on your couch.

The Overall Experience

Sure, it’s annoying to line up to place a bet (instead of just doing it online) and holding onto a printed ticket seems archaic compared to the online method of tracking/paying out, but Vegas has advantages elsewhere.

When you cash your bets at home, you’re just at home. Or even if you’re at a Buffalo Wild Wings, you celebrate for a bit and head back home. When you’re in Vegas, there’s a lot more to do in the casino or on The Strip after you’ve won your bet.

Want to meet some hot chics? The pool parties are crowded with bikinis and the clubs are live with women. Want to get a bite to eat? The Strip offers one of the best collection of restaurants in the world. Want to go shopping? There’s luxury brands, malls and shops galore just steps from wherever you are.

That’s the overall experience in Vegas. That’s what they’re selling these days. They know that they’re no longer solely a gambling hub so they selling the whole package. That’s something that you can’t get betting online.

Pros And Cons Both Ways

Of course, it makes sense for the average bettor to bet online – rather than in Vegas or with a bookie – because for day-to-day operations, it’s much easier. It makes much more sense. At the end of the day, though, nothing replaces that Vegas feeling. It’s still fun to visit for big fights, Super Bowl Sunday and it’s getting even better as the Las Vegas Raiders get set to move.

While Vegas can’t replicate the convenience of online betting and struggles to even match the sports betting experience widely available online, it’s still the place to be and bet.